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Synonyms

white paper

American  
[hwahyt pey-per, wahyt, hwahyt-pey-per, wahyt] / ˈʰwaɪt ˈpeɪ pər, ˈwaɪt, ˈʰwaɪtˌpeɪ pər, ˈwaɪt /

noun

  1. paper bleached white.

  2. an official governmental report.

  3. an authoritative report issued by any organization.

    The TV network presented its white paper on news coverage of major crimes.

  4. an official British government publication on a specific subject prepared by a committee and presented to the House of Commons, usually reporting results of a recent investigation or summarizing policy.


white paper British  

noun

  1. (often capitals) an official government report in any of a number of countries, including Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, which sets out the government's policy on a matter that is or will come before Parliament

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of white paper

First recorded in 1560–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

An analysis of Back's online activity also matches up with that of Satoshi's disappearance shortly after Bitcoin's white paper - the manifesto outlining its philosophy - was published online.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

The expansion adds 900,000 tons of brown paper production, which starts in 1Q, and 1.5 million tons of white paper production, which commences in 2H, the analysts say.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The hearings are ostensibly intended to gather information, all of which will be summarized in a white paper being written by researchers at the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at UC Berkeley.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

Algorhythm Holdings —formerly the Singing Machine Co.— published a white paper claiming its AI technology could make trucking more efficient.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

It was a small piece of white paper, half hidden under a shelf.

From "The Cinderella Ballet Mystery: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #4" by Carolyn Keene